Score pad displaying and supporting device for card tables



L. A, MARSH Oct. 17, 1933.

scoma PAD DISPLAYING AND SUPPORTING DEVICES FOR CARD TABLES Filed April 22, 1930 llml INVENTOR. 0mm 43. 972M411. BY d VMzt ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 1933 UNITED sures PATENT Q I I This invention relates to game tables and especially to a card table adapted for use in playing contract bridge and similar games wherein a written record of the score is required.

In playing certain games, and especially contract bridge which requires the keeping of a'written record of the score; from one to four score pads and pencils are usually employed and placed loosely on the table so that theymay frequently be referred to by each of the players. Where but one or two'score pads amused by thefour players the pads have to be frequently v passed around for reference by the players which is a source of considerable inconvenience and annoyance to the players and causes interruptions in the game, besides littering up the table with score pads and pencils. V The object of the present invention is primarily to leave the card table clear for the playgoiing of the cards, absolutely unobstructed by score cards or pencils during the game and vto eliminate interruption, annoyance and inconvenience to players as above stated by providing a card table having a view opening formed cengs trally thereon through which the score pad may be displayed; to provide a card table having a glass covered view opening so that the entire table surface may be utilized when playing; to provide a shelf or similar support from which so? the score pad may be readily removed when a new score is to be added and upon which the score pad may be quickly placed when the score is to bedisplayed; and further, to provide means whereby the shelf together with the score pad 1 placed thereon may be readily rotated or positioned by any player so as to bring the written score into the most convenient position for reading.

The card table is shown by way' of illustralm'ltion in the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view which is partially broken away to disclose the structure of the table,

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 1, and

4,5; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the shelf.

The table shown in the present instance employs an ordinary table top such as indicated at 4 which is covered with felt5, or any similar suitable material, and it is supported by four so legs such as indicated at 6 which may be rigid or of the folding type asdesired. Tables of this character are usually square and are generally employed for playing bridge or like card games. In playing certain kinds of bridge such as contract bridge it-is essential to keep a written score as'the game progresses and to. place the score in i such a position thatit may be continuously re-. ferredtoby the'several players. ;'In themesent instance a square opening such as indicated a at '7 is formed inthe center :of the table and this opening is covered with'glass 8 or any other sim ilar material'so as to .leave a plain unobstructed table surface for the reception of the cards dur'-- ing the playing of the game. Disposed below the opening '7 'or the glass'8 is a shelf or like sup-j porting device generally indicated'at 9, this shelf; being provided as a support for the score pad so that this may hardened to asoftenas desired by the several players.

If a stationary shelf is provided it that the written matter on the score pad could;

as obvious only be read by' one person as the written matter would be upside down to the opposed players and could only be read with difficulty by those sitting at opposite sides. A featureof the present invention is to provide a shelf which may be rotated by anyone of the players so that the written matter maybe moved into the most convenient position for reading. This is accom- 1'7. A ring 15 constructed of wire or like mate rial and provided with spokes 16 is riveted or otherwise secured to the bottom portion of shelf 9 and this ring is of such adiameter that it may be grasped by any one of the players and rotated so as to bring the score pad into a position where it may be most conveniently read. In this manner the score pad is always maintained within convenient view of all players and it may be directly referred to byany player by merely rotating the shelf and score pad into reading position, hence no'player is annoyed or interrupted by passing of the pad from one to the other and furthermore the pad is kept away from the table surface. Hence it is notin the way of anyone nor can it be knocked off the table. i

It will also benoted that the shelf is provided with a flaring mouth such as indicated at 10. This is also important as it' permits the score keeper to readily remove the pad whenever a new score is to be added and it also permits the score keeper to readily replace the pad in correct several parts employed may be such as the manu'; facturer may decide, or varying conditions or shelf.- V

usesgmay demand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A card table having a tabletop with a display opening formed therein, a shelf attached to the lower surface of the table top inclose proximity thereto and below the display opening, a, pair of sidemembers and an end "sectionenolos-V 'ing the shelf, and .a flaring enlarged mouth formed atvthe oppositeend of the shelf'to permit ready insertionor removal of a score pad.

' 2. A card table having a table top with a display opening formed therein; a shelf disposed below the display opening in. close proximity to the lower surface of theltable, and a rotary support securing the shelf with relation to the lower surface of the table top.

3. A card table having a table top with a dis play opening formed therein, ashelf attached to a the lower surface. of the table top in close proximity thereto and below the display opening, a. pair, of side members and an end section enclosing the shelf, and a flaring enlarged mouth formed at the opposite end of the shelf to permit ready insertion or removal of a score pad, said shelf being rotatably mounted with relation to the table top and the display opening.

a '4 :A card table having-a table top witha displayfopening formed therein, a shelf disposed below the display opening,1a ring secured to the shelf, an annular bearing ring secured to the lower surface of the table top and forming a journal for the ring to which the shelf is securedand permitting rotation of the shelf and the ring supporting the same, and means for rotating the 5; A card table having a table top with a display opening formed therein, a shelf disposed below the display opening, a ring secured to the shelf, an annular bearing ring secured to the lower surface; of; the tabletop andfiforming a journal for'the. ring to which the shelf is secured and permitting rotation of the shelf and the ring supporting the same, and means for {rotating the shelf, saidmeans comprising a ringsecured to the shelf and-being of such a'diameter astobe readily reached from any side of the tableso thatit may be grasped torotate-the shelf. 1 6.. The combination with a cardtable having an opening formed centrally of its top, of a transparent covering for said opening, and a rotatable support for a score opening.

card; 1 directly beneath said LUCIEN -A.. MARSH; V tutu-0V 

